CompIQ YUNA Pro Compressor Pedal for Bass and Guitar NEW
269,00 € – 329,00 €
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With its Japanese-inspired name (Yu-Na / 優結 / ゆな / ユナ — meaning gentle, kind, superior and binding or gluing), the CompIQ YUNA Pro Compressor Pedal delivers the essential compression and tone-shaping controls that bassists and guitarists love and trust, all packed into an ultra-compact, road-ready aluminum enclosure. YUNA goes well beyond typical offerings with a refined circuit featuring plenty of additional functions and high-grade components that deliver professional sound and lively response without distortions or artifacts. It’s easy to set up and highly versatile, making it one of the most refined and capable clean-sounding compressors available today. YUNA also supports the optional DITOS transformer-balanced output, voiced for warm, vintage-style lows and clear, detailed highs.
Whether you need transparent leveling, fat punch, or subtle warmth, YUNA adapts and delivers. This one is easier to dial in quickly and make changes on the fly. I’m a fan.
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Streamlined Compression Controls with Unmatched Performance and Versatility
The CompIQ YUNA Pro is a smooth-sounding, powerful all-analog compressor and soft-limiter pedal for guitar, bass, or any other instrument or audio source. It operates on a standard 9V battery or an external 9-12VDC power supply (not included), making it one of the few pedals still offering a battery option. Like all CompIQ series compressors, it’s built with Burr-Brown™ pro audio FET ICs, low-tolerance metal film resistors, and plastic film capacitors in the audio path, for low noise and accurate frequency response. At its core is the THAT Corp’s flagship 4320 Analog Engine®, which combines a true RMS-level detector with a high-performance Blackmer® VCA. Unlike typical peak detectors, the RMS sensor averages the signal level over time, better matching how we perceive loudness. YUNA’s RMS reference level can be set to -10dBu for strong sources like pro line-level gear, -20dBu for standard instrument signals, or -30dBu for low-output pickups such as single-coil guitars.
YUNA’s Comp control, inspired by the early DBX 163 (a.k.a. The “More” Compressor), adjusts compression from less to more by internally linking ratio and threshold, both of which also depend on the jumper-set RMS reference level and the input level. As the knob is turned up, the ratio increases and the threshold lowers, progressively applying more and more compression. Due to this interaction and the signal-dependent behavior of the control, exact ratio or threshold values cannot be tied to specific knob positions, which is why the markings are simply Less and More. Compression can occur even at the lowest setting if the input exceeds the internal threshold, and likewise, if the signal stays below threshold, little or no compression is applied even when the Comp knob is turned up. This allows players to control dynamics naturally, staying clear of compression when playing softly and triggering it more when digging in, similar to the behavior of a soft limiter. The lower half of the range provides gentle, musical compression shaped by a soft-corner timing envelope that recalls the feel of optical designs, while higher settings yield a more pronounced and punchy effect without compromising clarity, thanks to the compressor’s overall Soft-Knee response. In feed-forward mode, the compression ratio can go up to 20:1 (10:1 in feed-back), with over 26 dB of gain reduction possible, depending on the signal strength relative to the set threshold. Feed-back mode provides smoother, more open compression, resulting in a highly transparent sound. In both modes, stronger compression requires adjusting the Make-up Gain to maintain a consistent output level. Keep in mind that increasing make-up gain will also raise amplification noise when no signal is being played, especially if the compressor is placed after noisy instrument pickups, high-gain effects such as powerful preamps, heavily-adjusted EQ’s, or overdrives.
The Timing control on the YUNA compressor is a carefully tuned circuit that combines manual Attack and Release into a single knob, offering more practical timing spans than other similar offerings. It adjusts both times together in a reversible way, starting with fast attack and slow release (FASR) at one end, which is how most compressors work, and gradually shifting to slower attack and faster release (SAFR) at the other. The first half of the Timing knob is more detailed, allowing fine control of attack time from very fast to slower, helping shape initial transients – with release times getting slightly shorter as the knob is dialed in. Set at noon, we tuned it to provide attack and release times that work very well for most playing styles. Beyond center, attack slows and release speeds up more quickly. Slower attack combined with faster release captures percussive transients later and lets them go quicker, producing a punchy, dynamic feel similar to what’s usually only possible with separate Attack and Release controls. This setup is particularly effective in percussive styles like bass slapping. The timing control covers two ranges, set by the Speed switch: in Fast mode (F), Attack runs from 5ms to 50ms and Release from 250ms to 50ms; in Slow mode (S), Attack spans 15ms to 80ms and Release from 400ms to 80ms. These extended timings allows for more versatility, adapting timing requirements to different music styles, from fast and punchy response needed for dynamically rich content or for limiting purposes, to proper adjustment for slow, mellow notes that can benefit from longer attack and release times. The timing response is also semi-adaptable, with maximum values applying at 20dB of compression and slightly shortening as less compression is applied.
YUNA includes the advanced side-chain features found in our other compressors. The variable Lows Cut/Boost Filter is optimized for bass instruments, offering ±12dB adjustment at 90Hz and below with a gentle 12dB/oct slope. It also works well with guitar or other sources. Cutting lows in the side-chain reduces compression on low frequencies at the output, helping to preserve the natural energy of the signal. Unlike typical side-chain filters, our SCF also allows boosting lows, increasing sensitivity to low-level signals and making compression more responsive in that range. This effectively extends the threshold range downward and helps capture very weak signals such as those from low-output single coils which many other compressors miss. When the Side-Chain Filter knob is set to the middle, the side-chain signal is left unaltered as a direct copy of the input. This results in standard compression behavior, where the loudest frequency component of the input triggers compression once it crosses the threshold.
YUNA’s unique design has quite a lot more to offer. It is essentially two compressors in one, offering two jumper-selectable side-chain operating modes. In Feed Forward mode, it uses a copy of the input signal before the VCA, focusing the compressor on speed and precision. Depending on the settings, this mode can deliver anything from light compression to punchy limiting. The Feed-Back mode, based on a post-VCA signal, offers the smoothest natural response that works unobtrusively for evening out dynamics. Each mode, combined with the rest of YUNA’s features, expands both its versatility and dynamic behavior. Both modes retain a clean, musical sound, making the choice entirely about what fits best in the given context. This dual-mode architecture adds a deeper layer of control and adaptability, allowing YUNA to handle a broad range of instruments, tones, and applications with ease.
YUNA also includes two internal DIP switches for Voicing selection, allowing subtle adjustments to how dynamics are shaped across frequencies. The Spark setting adds more clarity to the highs. Tight slightly reduces mids, adding a bit of depth depending on the instrument’s tonal profile. Punch refers to tonal character, not dynamic intensity. It gives mids-rich bass instruments a tube-like feel, with rounded lows and warm highs, even more effective when used with the tilting X-EQ or/and the DITOS transformer voicing.
The X-EQ tilting equalizer, inspired by 1970s Hi-Fi designs, offers two pivot points: High at 1kHz for guitar, and Low at 300Hz for bass. Positioned after compression, it gently adjusts the tonal balance between lows and highs around the selected pivot. Turning the knob right boosts highs while cutting lows; turning it left boosts lows while cutting highs. The adjustment range is ±6dB at either end, with the center position leaving the signal unchanged. Both settings suit any instrument, each offering a distinct and useful EQ character. This control also complements the Voicing feature and, with minor adjustments, can enhance the subtle coloration of the output signal.
YUNA has a Dry/Wet Mix control that lets you blend the clean signal with the compressed one, allowing for more natural-sounding compression. This technique, often called New York style, is useful when using strong compression as an effect or when making limiting feel more subtle.
An 8-LED gain reduction meter provides precise visual feedback on the amount of compression applied to the input signal. The additional first LED in the bar indicates that the signal is passing through the compressor (effect ON) with 0dB of gain reduction when it does not exceed the threshold. Note that the internal circuit draws current even when the pedal is bypassed (effect OFF). When using battery power, the input jack functions as a power switch by inserting a mono plug (such as from an instrument or patch cable). To prevent draining the battery, the input plug should be removed when not in use.
The optional DITOS board adds a transformer-balanced output on a 1/4″ TRS jack and fits in the space normally used for the 9V battery. It allows direct recording or connection to a mixer and can also serve as a floating unbalanced output for pedals or amps, adding the warmth of a transformer. The main VCA output remains active for routing to other gear or a tuner. An internal ground-lift jumper is available to help with ground-loop noise. We recommend keeping it connected unless ground isolation is needed. When YUNA is in true bypass, DITOS still receives input from the VCA output and acts as a series device. This always-on active load causes a small difference in signal level between powered and non-powered states of the VCA output when bypassed. If unpowered, DITOS outputs no signal.
Note! The DITOS board is no longer sold separately and is now only available as an option with a new compressor. Also, the DITOS marking is present on all enclosures, even if the DITOS option isn’t purchased, to streamline production. If you’d like to add DITOS later, the pedal must be sent to us, with prepaid installation and return shipping costs. Contact us for details on adding DITOS to your YUNA.
Pristine audio processing
The CompIQ series of compressors preserves the unique tonal characteristics of the input signal. They provide pristine audio compression and offer a high dynamic range, which enables clean, natural-sounding tones with minimal noise and no artifacts or distortions in any settings.
Key features
- Full analog circuit with true by-pass
- True RMS-level detector with reference levels at -10dBu, -20dBu which is default for instrument level, -30dBu (jumper settable)
- High-performance Blackmer® VCA compression engine
- Optional DITOS board for transformer-coupled balanced output (10KΩ impedance); replaces battery operation
- Feed Forward/Feed-back compression modes (jumper settable)
- From Less compression to More compression (ratio coupled with threshold)
- Make-up Gain -0dB to +26dB
- Soft Knee compression
- Manual reversible semi-dynamic timing: from fast attack & slow release (FASR) to slower attack & faster release (SAFR)
- Fast/Slower timing ranges, with hold for peaks over the threshold
- X-EQ with selectable frequency pivot 300Hz for bass or 1KHz for guitar
- Voicing: Flat, Spark, Tight, Punch (internal DIP-switch selectable)
- Lows variable side-chain filter with progressive boost & cut below 90Hz
- Dry/Wet mix
- 8-LEDs gain reduction meter
- High-end quality Burr-Brown FET audio ICs, low tolerance metal-film resistors, Panasonic, Kemet, Cornell Dubilier plastic film audio capacitors, Gold-plated multi-layers PCB, Gold-plated micro-switches
- Genuine Hammond black-powdered aluminum enclosure
- Runs on standard 9V internal battery or 9-12V DC external power supply (not included), center negative, 12mm long barrel plug; replaces DITOS option
- 3-year warranty (direct to manufacturer, international, transferable)
- Hand-assembled in Vienna, Austria
Reviews
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Box Weight | 0,33 kg |
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Box Dimensions | 13 × 8 × 5,5 cm |
Technical Specifications | Input impedance: 1.1MΩ |
Build Option | Without DITOS Trafo Output, With DITOS Trafo Output Installed |